Submission on Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill

The Rule of Law Project welcomes the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill as a step by the government in actualising the rights of individuals to decide what goes into their bodies. The substance of the bill, in terms of the penalties it recommends for not complying with its provisions, is misguided. The aim of the bill should be to make it as easy as is possible for citizens to realise their constitutional rights. They ought not be prosecuted for any peaceful behaviour in relation to cannabis usage, whether such behaviour is in compliance with the bill’s provisions or not. Avoiding the dire consequences of criminal prosecution for the thousands of people whose trade is contingent on the sale of cannabis to adults should be an imperative of the law on cannabis going forward.

The full submission can be read HERE